Thermal management for high-capacity large format Li-ion batteries

Abstract

A lithium ion battery includes a cathode in electrical and thermal connection with a cathode current collector. The cathode current collector has an electrode tab. A separator is provided. An anode is in electrical and thermal connection with an anode current collector. The anode current collector has an electrode tab. At least one of the cathode current collector and the anode current collector comprises a thermal tab for heat transfer with the at least one current collector. The thermal tab is separated from the electrode tab. A method of operating a battery is also disclosed.

We claim: 
     
       1. A lithium ion battery, comprising:
 a cathode in electrical and thermal connection with a cathode current collector, the cathode current collector having an electrode tab; 
 a separator; 
 an anode in electrical and thermal connection with an anode current collector, the anode current collector having an electrode tab; 
 wherein at least one of the cathode current collector and the anode current collector comprises a thermal tab for heat transfer with the at least one current collector and other portions, the thermal tab being electrically connected to the other portions of the current collector and separated on the current collector from the electrode tab, and wherein at least one of the cathode current collector and the anode current collector comprises at least two sides, and the thermal tab is on two sides of the current collector. 
 
     
     
       2. A lithium ion battery, comprising:
 a cathode in electrical and thermal connection with a cathode current collector, the cathode current collector having an electrode tab; 
 a separator; 
 an anode in electrical and thermal connection with an anode current collector, the anode current collector having an electrode tab; 
 wherein at least one of the cathode current collector and the anode current collector comprises a thermal tab for heat transfer with the at least one current collector, the thermal tab being separated from the electrode tab, further comprising a heat transfer system for heat transfer with the thermal tab, wherein the battery comprises a sealed pouch, the anode and cathode being sealed within the pouch, and wherein the thermal tabs are sealed within the pouch. 
 
     
     
       3. The lithium ion battery of  claim 2 , wherein the heat transfer system extends into the sealed pouch to transfer heat with the thermal tabs. 
     
     
       4. The lithium ion battery of  claim 2 , wherein the heats transfer system transfers heat through a portion of the pouch adjacent to the thermal tabs. 
     
     
       5. The lithium ion battery of  claim 4 , wherein the heat transfer system comprises a clamp for clamping the heat transfer system to the portion of the pouch adjacent to the thermal tabs. 
     
     
       6. The lithium ion battery of  claim 4 , wherein the heat transfer system comprises at least one heat transfer channel in thermal contact with the portion of the pouch adjacent to the heat transfer tabs. 
     
     
       7. A lithium ion battery, comprising:
 a cathode in electrical and thermal connection with a cathode current collector, the cathode current collector having an electrode tab; 
 a separator; 
 an anode in electrical and thermal connection with an anode current collector, the anode current collector having an electrode tab; 
 wherein at least one of the cathode current collector and the anode current collector comprises a thermal tab for heat transfer with the at least one current collector and other portions, the thermal tab being electrically connected to the other portions of the current collector and separated on the current collector from the electrode tab, and wherein a portion of the thermal tabs extends out of the sealed pouch. 
 
     
     
       8. The lithium ion battery of  claim 7 , wherein the heat transfer system is in thermal communication with the portion of the thermal tabs extending out of the sealed pouch. 
     
     
       9. A lithium ion battery, comprising:
 a cathode in electrical and thermal connection with a cathode current collector, the cathode current collector having an electrode tab; 
 a separator; 
 an anode in electrical and thermal connection with an anode current collector, the anode current collector haying an electrode tab; 
 wherein at least one of the cathode current collector and the anode current collector comprises a thermal tab for heat transfer with the at least one current collector and other portions, the thermal tab being electrically connected to the other portions of the current collector and separated on the current collector from the electrode tab, and wherein the separator is a Z-folding separator.